Greater Roadrunner

desert bird · super fast · cuckoo family

Incredibly fast runner. The greater roadrunner can sprint up to 26 miles per hour on the ground, making it one of the speediest birds around. It uses its long legs and tail to balance while racing across desert terrain.

Snake hunter expert. This bird is famous for hunting and eating snakes, which is why it's sometimes called the 'snake killer.' It can catch rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes with quick reflexes.

Desert survivor. Greater roadrunners live in the hot, dry regions of the Southwestern United States and Mexico where they've adapted to find food in arid landscapes.

Cuckoo family member. Even though it sounds strange, the greater roadrunner is actually part of the cuckoo family, the same family as the birds that say 'cuckoo' in clocks.

Runs instead of flies. While roadrunners can fly, they prefer to run on the ground to escape danger and chase prey, using their long tail like a rudder to steer.